Local News
6-6 OKC watch
2 more colleges announce tuition freeze
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two more state colleges are announcing they will freeze tuition and fees for the coming school year.
Oklahoma City Community College and Langston University officials said Friday they will not ask for tuition or fee increases for the 2009-10 academic year.
State higher education Chancellor Glenn Johnson recently said he hoped there would be few — if any — requests for tuition and fee increases this year. Johnson said the Legislature has increased funding for higher education despite a difficult economy that led to budget cuts for some state agencies.
The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State and Northwestern Oklahoma State have also announced tuition and fee freezes.
Government modernization plan signed into law
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Brad Henry has signed House Bill 1032, the Oklahoma State Government Modernization Act of 2009, authored by Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, and Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie.
Murphey said the bill continues efforts to increase transparency of state government spending, puts a stop to certain inappropriate fee increases, requires agencies to provide online access to licensing and permitting processes, eliminates an unnecessary state board and is expected to save millions of taxpayer dollars by providing a new focus on leveraging state purchasing processes through a dramatic redesign of the state’s centralized purchasing processes.
“This legislation represents a comprehensive approach to cleaning up wasteful and inefficient government processes,” Brogdon said. “Whether it is renewing their car tags online or just reviewing state spending the people can use now use technology to their advantage instead of being held hostage by a large government bureaucracy.”
The changes incorporated in the bill include:
• Increasing transparency by requiring all purchases made by state employees with state purchasing cards (P-cards) to be posted online through the ok.gov Internet portal for the public to review.
• Tightening up statutory language so that state agencies are no longer allowed to backdoor certain IT costs into online convenience fee increases.
• Making state licensing and permitting more accessible by requiring state entities to provide the public with the option of renewing or applying for permits and licenses online. Online permitting is expected to save many state employee man hours and result in taxpayer savings.
“HB 1032 is an important second step along the path of government modernization,” Murphey said. “The bill will set the stage for a new round of modernization and money-saving initiatives next year.”
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Edmond Memorial gets ready for Swine Week 2010
Edmond Memorial High School students took to the streets over the weekend to begin raising money for Swine Week, the school’s annual fundraiser.
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Family seeks volunteers for bone marrow match
A series of bone marrow and blood drives has been scheduled for Edmond, Oklahoma City and Norman to help Dee Dee Dixon Rund, president of Oklahoma City Abstract and Title Company, who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia.
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Council moves ahead with softball complex
The City Council approved the advancement of the $4.5 million adult softball complex into its second phase Monday night.
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Lawmakers, Scouts celebrate 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts
State Reps. Scott Martin and Lewis Moore were proud today to welcome and celebrate with a number of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who attended events at the state Capitol commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
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High school students explore health careers at Mercy
Deer Creek High School students were among more than 700 high schoolers who explored health care careers Friday at Mercy Health Center.
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OC junior sings Valentines for mission projects
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2-9 Where to Vote: Polling Precincts
Polls will be open for the Edmond Public Schools Board of Education District 5 election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, but other voting options are available.
The Oklahoma County and Logan County election boards can accept absentee ballots until the close of polling stations. -
Edmond bank agrees to improve policies, practices
State and federal regulators have given an Edmond bank a deadline for submitting a written plan to strengthen oversight of bank management and operations.
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Governor’s race brings in Edmond cash
Fervor for the 2010 gubernatorial race is bringing in a flood of money for political action committees.
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Panel tables county jail issue
An advisory panel Friday rejected a recommendation calling for county commissioners to pursue a new estimated $330 million jail, then voted to revisit the issue at a later date.
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